Your Child with Diabetes has a Sibling, Don’t Forget It

In this day and age, if you think your kids are not, somehow and some time or another, on the internet, you would probably be mistaken.  One statistic states that only 15% of parents are ‘in the know’ of their child’s access and use of the internet (https://www.guardchild.com/statistics/).  So let’s assume that stat is roughly correct, that means whatever you post, write, vent, argue, and generalize; it’s a pretty good chance your child has access.

I have stated in the past that I’m no fan of posting kids in their hospital bed but not because of the impact, I get it and there surely have been hugely powerful photos of such.  But how would we each feel if someone took a picture of us at our absolute worst and posted it with a caption, “Take a look, I surely feel bad for my mom today”.  Think about it.  But my main reason for today’s article is if you have more than one child.

Not more than one child with diabetes, just more than one child. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen a picture of a child with diabetes and what a hero they are with flowers, certificates, trophies, and all sorts of fun stuff celebrating their accomplishments.  To be clear, that is wonderful and knowing they accomplished these feats while battling diabetes makes us incredibly proud, and rightfully so.  But I’ve also seen these very same pictures with a smiling sibling looking on and when I scroll back through someone’s FB page, I just do not see any of the sibling and their accomplishments.

Be careful.

In as much as we are all proud of what our kids accomplish in their day-to-day battles, remember to single-out something your child without diabetes has accomplished. Post about that. Brag about that. As my dear friend Dr. Richard Rubin used to say, “make it about balance”.

I can tell you with most certainty that your children know the times; a trip was cut short, a detour had to be made, something different was served or left out, more time was paid, and in general a bigger fuss was made over the child who has diabetes.  And that is fine and at times completely unavoidable, just make sure you stop, every now and then, and spotlight those children who do not have diabetes.

Let them decide where to eat some nights, or what movie to see, or what activity to do.  Our children without diabetes know every corner that was cut on them because of their sibling with diabetes.  What do you do to booster your child who lives without diabetes?  Look for those events and highlight them.

Praise is cool.  Everyone likes it.  Give it away, and often, to ALL of your kids.
I am a diabetes dad.
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